Oladipupo Targets African Nations Cup Medal as Nigeria Steps Up Preparations

Posted : 20 July 2026

Nigeria men's volleyball head coach Taiwo Oladipupo has expressed confidence that the national team can secure a podium finish at the 2026 African Nations Cup if given adequate preparation ahead of the tournament in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

The team qualified for the continental championship after delivering an impressive performance at the CAVB Zone 3 qualifying tournament in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Nigeria earned one of the available qualification places alongside Ghana to represent the region at the September competition.

Oladipupo said the qualification campaign proved that the squad has the quality to compete with the continent's strongest volleyball nations. He added that proper planning in the coming weeks would be the deciding factor in the team's medal ambitions.

The coach called for international friendly matches and an overseas training tour to help the players gain valuable experience before the championship. He believes regular exposure to stronger opposition will improve the team's tactical awareness and overall performance.

"With good preparation, I believe we are set to finish on the podium, and that is why I am optimistic that we will make Nigeria proud," Oladipupo said.

Reflecting on the Zone 3 qualifiers, the coach described the tournament as highly competitive. He noted that every participating nation arrived in Abidjan with the objective of qualifying, making Nigeria's achievement even more significant.

According to Oladipupo, no team approached the competition casually, as every country fielded its strongest squad. He said Nigeria's successful qualification was the result of hard work and determination from the players and technical crew.

The coach also appealed to the leadership of CAVB Zone 3 to support the team's preparations. He reiterated the importance of arranging quality friendly matches and a training camp abroad to strengthen Nigeria's chances at the continental event.

Meanwhile, Nigeria Volleyball Federation President, Engineer Musa Nimrod, confirmed that the men's national team will return to camp next month as preparations begin for the African Nations Cup.

Nigeria and Ghana will represent CAVB Zone 3 in the men's championship in Kinshasa. In the women's competition, Nigeria, Ghana and Burkina Faso will represent the zone at the African Volleyball Championship in Kenya this August.

The African Nations Cup carries added importance because it forms part of the qualification pathway for the volleyball tournament at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. A strong performance in Kinshasa would therefore boost Nigeria's hopes of progressing towards Olympic qualification.

Oladipupo Targets African Nations Cup Medal as Nigeria Steps Up Preparations

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics